Food regulation update February 16: The latest on MAHA and related developments

CHICAGO, February 16, 2026 — IFMA The Food Away from Home Association launched a new benefit for members: A roundup of regulatory developments affecting the food-away-from-home business, including policy changes that are part of the Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative. The report is compiled and written by Dr. Joy Dubost, a renowned food scientist and registered dietitian with strong knowledge of what’s happening on the regulatory front.

FEDERAL UPDATES 

MAHA

Kennedy on 60 Minutes - HHS Secretary Kennedy is scheduled to be on 60 Minutes on Sunday (2/15) to talk about generally recognized as safe (GRAS) reform. There are rumors about what he will address, including a response to the Kessler petition targeting “refined carbohydrates used in industrial processing,” also called “processed refined carbohydrates.” The petition focuses on three main areas: 1) refined sweeteners such as corn syrup, glucose syrup, and dextrose; 2) refined flour and starches that undergo food extrusion technology; and 3) sucrose, refined flours, or starches combined with emulsifiers, dough conditioners, and various other ingredients. The White House is not giving a preview but encouraging everyone to “tune in.”

Dietary Guidelines Event - On February 11th, HHS Secretary Kennedy and USDA Secretary Rollins hosted an event in Washington, DC with key government and industry stakeholders focusing on the implementation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). Much of the discussion focused on the purported sweeping transformation in the governments approach to nutrition, driven by new federal guidance that places “real food” at the heart of school meals, military bases and child nutrition programs. They noted the latest release of the DGA from the USDA and HHS marks a pivotal shift in national policy, whose aim is to reverse decades of reliance on ultra-processed foods and to foster healthier outcomes for children and families across the country. At the core of the new guidelines is a simple message: “Eat real food.”

As part of this update, it was announced that the USDA has issued new guidance to all regional and state directors of child nutrition programs, urging them to familiarize themselves with the key recommendations and to consider how these guidelines will be incorporated into school meals and snacks. This initiative is part of a broader effort to update USDA’s child nutrition programs, aligning them with the DGAs for 2025–2030. The update process will include both rulemaking and educational outreach, with a proposed school meals rule expected by mid-spring or in approximately one month. Schools are encouraged to prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods—such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains—over ultra-processed options.

Secretary Rollins discussed how eighteen states have received SNAP waivers to prevent taxpayer dollars from being used to purchase junk food and sodas—a move that directly affects school-age children and their families. Additionally, new stocking standards for retailers accepting SNAP/EBT will require them to more than double the healthy food offerings on their shelves, further supporting healthy choices for students and their families.
In addition, it was pointed out that the guidance is not limited to what is served in school cafeterias but also intended to influence nutrition education in classrooms and at home, promoting healthy eating habits among children and their families. Secretary Rollins emphasized that a healthy meal is “within reach of every American family,” citing recent declines in the prices of staples like cheese, fruit, butter, and eggs. This is intended to reassure schools and families that nutritious food can be both affordable and accessible. The guidelines also highlight the role of American farmers and ranchers in supplying schools with wholesome foods, positioning the new standards as beneficial for both public health and the agricultural economy.

Army Under Secretary Mike Obadal spoke about introducing a campus-style dining model across Army training centers. He alluded to a concession-based restaurant-style model that has multiple food stations with healthier options with extended service hours. These will be implemented across bases. In addition, Director of Bureau of Prisons William Marshall discussed how federal prisons are aligning to the MAHA strategies including refining menu standards, identifying low or no-cost improvements, or exploring opportunities for institutions to grow some of their own produce to support both nutrition and meaningful inmate work programs. Mike Tyson also provided remarks about the recent advertisement and the struggle he and his family have had with obesity.

Finally, Secretary Kennedy noted the accomplishments of MAHA over the past year citing voluntary commitments from the food industry. In a possible preview of GRAS Kennedy noted the FDA will require notification and safety review when companies introduce new chemicals into our food supply. He said the release of the DGAs is just the beginning. The USDA and HHS are committed to ongoing rulemaking, education and collaboration with state and local leaders to ensure that the benefits of “real food” reach every child in America. By transforming school meals and supporting healthy choices at home and in the community, the federal government aims to set a new standard for children. Click here to watch the full event.

Advertisement - As previously reported last week a new ad featuring former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson demonizing processed food in favor of real food (“Processed Food Kills” while “Real Food Wins”). Per the MAHA movement the goal of this ad was to reach as wide an audience possible to wake Americans up across the country and show them that processed food has failed them. Initial reports indicate the ad had extensive coverage with over 120 million viewers during the Super Bowl, over 30 million viewers on X so far, media coverage, and videos on social media of people removing processed food in their diet.

Management Team - HHS Secretary Kennedy announced several enhancements to his management team to accelerate the MAHA agenda. As part of these changes, Chris Klomp will become Chief Counselor at HHS and oversee all operations of the Department. Chris brings decades of management and leadership experience to the role. In addition, Secretary Kennedy has named Kyle Diamantas and Grace Graham as Senior Counselors for the FDA. Each of these individuals will continue to serve in their current roles in addition to serving in Secretary Kennedy’s office. 

FDA

BHA - The FDA announced it will be conducting a thorough review of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA); a chemical preservative commonly found in food. This evaluation aims to determine if BHA remains safe under current usage conditions, drawing on the most recent scientific data. As part of this process, the agency released a Request for Information about BHA’s safety and applications. This effort is one aspect of the FDA’s initiative to systematically examine chemical additives in the food supply. In May 2025, the FDA introduced an improved program to assess chemicals already present in foods, with BHA identified as a priority. The post-market review of BHA is just one of several ongoing assessments in the updated, structured approach to monitoring food chemicals. BHA was designated as GRAS in 1958 and approved for use as a food additive in 1961. It helps prevent fats and oils from spoiling and is present in products like frozen meals, breakfast cereals, cookies, candy, ice cream, and meats. Although recent packaged food labels suggest BHA use has declined, it is still found in many items, including foods marketed to children. For more information about the Request for Information on BHA, visit List of Select Chemicals in the Food Supply Under FDA Review | FDA.

Food Allergies - The FDA Expert Panel on Food Allergies will facilitate discussions on Wednesday, February 25th from 1:00-3:00 EST on the etiology and best treatments for food allergies as well as current health guidelines. The panel will consist of independent panels of scientific experts that will review the latest scientific evidence, evaluate potential health risks, explore safer alternatives, and may offer recommendations for regulatory action. This initiative is part of the FDA’s broader efforts to apply rigorous, evidence-based standards to modernize regulatory oversight, while considering evolving science and consumer health. The expert panel discussion will take place at the FDA’s White Oak Campus, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 20993, in the Great Room. The public and members of the media may attend the event. The session will be livestreamed over the FDA’s YouTube channel. Registration is only required for in-person attendance.

 

OTHER NEWS

WHO - The World Health Organization (WHO) Department of Nutrition and Food Safety has published a new guideline detailing policies and interventions aimed at fostering healthy school food environments. This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations and practical guidance for implementing measures to enhance nutrition in schools. It addresses three primary areas: the provision of food in schools; establishing nutrition standards or rules for foods and beverages served or sold on school premises; and introducing nudging interventions that shape the school food environment to encourage healthier choices.